Man sells T-shirts to support people with disabilities

Adam Farris, left, stands with Patty Adamic, owner of Mike's on Main. Farris is selling T-shirts and wristbands at the restaurant to raise awareness of autism.

MIKE DIRKS/TIMES-NEWS

By Mark SchulmanTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 4:31 p.m.

Adam Farris knows he has impairments such as attention deficit disorder and Tourette syndrome, but he thinks of himself as someone with unique abilities, not disabilities.

That's why he started a nonprofit in North Carolina and Texas called Ability Shirts, which brings autism and Tourette syndrome awareness to the public while raising money for his cause.

“I want to open doors for people with disabilities,” said 25-year-old Farris, who started Ability Shirts in Hendersonville in January and in Texas a little more than a year ago.

Farris repeated his company's slogan, “No one has a disability, everyone has abilities,” which is printed on T-shirts and wristbands he sells on his website and at local businesses.

A lot of people who suffer from ADD or Tourettes, obsessive compulsive disorder and other impairments may feel like they cannot function in public. But Farris' father taught him otherwise when he was a young man.

He encouraged Farris to take the world by storm, and that gave the young man strength to use his abilities to earn an office-skill certificate from a community college. Farris is now employed by Walgreens Pharmacy, where he can work toward a career.

Farris has Ability Shirts merchandise at Mike's on Main Street and Mast General Store in downtown Hendersonville for sale, and proceeds go to different local organizations.

“I am really impressed with what he has accomplished,” said Patty Adamic, owner of Mike's on Main. “It is really nice to see someone with his ability start a business.”

The wristbands have been on sale at Mast General for a couple weeks, and assistant manager Lori Dorsey said Farris' endeavor is a great thing.

“He is a very determined young man,” Dorsey said. “I am very impressed with what he is doing by raising awareness.”

To purchase merchandise, get more information or make a donation, visit www.abilityshirts.com or call Farris at 713-591-5789.

<p>Adam Farris knows he has impairments such as attention deficit disorder and Tourette syndrome, but he thinks of himself as someone with unique abilities, not disabilities.</p><p>That's why he started a nonprofit in North Carolina and Texas called Ability Shirts, which brings autism and Tourette syndrome awareness to the public while raising money for his cause.</p><p>“I want to open doors for people with disabilities,” said 25-year-old Farris, who started Ability Shirts in Hendersonville in January and in Texas a little more than a year ago.</p><p>Farris repeated his company's slogan, “No one has a disability, everyone has abilities,” which is printed on T-shirts and wristbands he sells on his website and at local businesses.</p><p>A lot of people who suffer from ADD or Tourettes, obsessive compulsive disorder and other impairments may feel like they cannot function in public. But Farris' father taught him otherwise when he was a young man.</p><p>He encouraged Farris to take the world by storm, and that gave the young man strength to use his abilities to earn an office-skill certificate from a community college. Farris is now employed by Walgreens Pharmacy, where he can work toward a career.</p><p>Farris has Ability Shirts merchandise at Mike's on Main Street and Mast General Store in downtown Hendersonville for sale, and proceeds go to different local organizations.</p><p>“I am really impressed with what he has accomplished,” said Patty Adamic, owner of Mike's on Main. “It is really nice to see someone with his ability start a business.”</p><p>The wristbands have been on sale at Mast General for a couple weeks, and assistant manager Lori Dorsey said Farris' endeavor is a great thing.</p><p>“He is a very determined young man,” Dorsey said. “I am very impressed with what he is doing by raising awareness.”</p><p>To purchase merchandise, get more information or make a donation, visit www.abilityshirts.com or call Farris at 713-591-5789.</p><p>Reach Schulman at 828-694-7890 or mark.schulman@blueridgenow.com</p>